In a statement, the former deputy prime minister said he pitied Tengku Sarifuddin, who despite being a highly decorated man, was no more than a person who acted as a “cat paw” for Najib.

Commenting on Tengku Sariffuddin’s allegations on Muhyiddin’s alleged involvement in a sex scandal, the Pagoh MP said the false allegations were symptomatic of what Umno had become now.

“This is the culture of smearing and slandering anyone and everyone just to protect, deflect and divert attention from the corruption by Najib.”

He said he had paid the price for not being blinded by corrupt loyalty when he was sacked as DPM and Umno deputy president.

Muhyiddin, who is Parti Pribumi Bersatu (Bersatu) pro-tem president, said Tengku Sariffuddin was bankrupt of ideas in raising a sex story popularised by a “fugitive blogger”, in reference to Raja Petra Kamarudin, who first highlighted the alleged scandal.

“That is how low Najib’s ‘Yes Men’ will go.”

Muhyiddin also said Umno was beset by Najib’s problems and Najib’s loyalists should not try to divert attention by raising “fanciful” conspiracy theories.

“Do not pretend that the country’s wealth has not been plundered,” he said, challenging Najib to answer accusations hurled against him rather than use “running dogs” like Tengku Sarifuddin.

Earlier this week, Tengku Sariffuddin, in responding to allegations of corruption made by Muhyiddin against Najib, opined that Muhyiddin was trying to divert attention from his own alleged sex scandal.

Sariffuddin had also said that Muhyiddin was a disappointed man after being used as a puppet by former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and was bitter that he would never become prime minister.

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